One person has been killed while another is missing after a wild elephant invaded Innayin community in Iwere-Ile area of Oyo State, police authorities have said.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued Thursday, the spokesperson for the Oyo police command, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m., prompting a swift response from security operatives.
Olayinka said police officers, working with local vigilantes and hunters, were deployed to the community following a distress call from residents.
He said the lifeless body of 45-year-old Ibrahim Tijani was later found in a nearby bush with injuries suspected to have been caused by an animal attack.
His remains have since been evacuated to a nearby morgue for preservation and medical examination.
The police also disclosed that another resident, identified as 50-year-old Muhammadu Bingin, was reported missing after an encounter with the same animal.
“During ongoing search operations, another individual, identified as Alhaji Muhammadu Bingin ‘M’, aged 50 years, was reported missing after an encounter with the same animal. Intensive efforts are currently underway to locate him,” the statement read.
Security operatives have since intensified surveillance in the area, while residents of Innayin and neighbouring communities have been urged to avoid the affected location and report any sighting of the elephant.
Police said relevant agencies, including the National Park Service Nigeria, have been contacted to support efforts to safely contain the situation.
Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, appealed for calm, assuring residents that the command is working with stakeholders to manage the threat and prevent further attacks.
